Everyone can see that japan has alot of airpower and with airbases can defend specific hardpoints fairly easily such as carolines and the home island. But, the southern islands are only 1 turn further away for the US than Japan, and they do not have airbases at the start to defend them. The allies, in my opinion, have to draw Japan into attacking there fleets, instead of the other way around. Get the ANZAC NO early and then head for the indies for all your worth.
Japan starts with 3 carriers, 2 bbs, 2 cruisers, 4 destroyers, 2 subs, and 3 transports. They also start with very little manpower in south asia. Japan is forced to build factories and transports and men with her early income, the US has no such problems. Sure they need an extra couple of transports but that is about it. Japan doesn’t have a large naval advantage and really cannot afford to invest significantly into boats for the first few turns, by then the US should catch up. Not enough to offset the airpower, but you don’t have to attack japan directly, attack her income.
I agree with most of this. The US HAS to get into the DEI area. There is nothing else that they can take that is worthwhile short of Japan herself and that is not a realistic goal in a competitive game. The problem is how to do it without trading too unfavorably.
Contrary to what people think, the Allies do NOT enjoy a huge economic lead over the Japanese. Sure, they make more income, but the Japanese are trading on a surplus of high-cost units. At the start of the game, the Japanese have plenty of aircraft with which to mate up with newly created CVs for naval power. Every 16 IPCs Japan drops is 37 the US has to drop to match, at least until the Japanese run out of surplus planes. With that in mind, it is going to take US quite a long time to overturn Japan’s naval advantage. And IMO, the US doesnt really have all that much time. I think the pressure is on the US/Allied player to stop Japan before she takes out the Brits. Once that happens, it’s all over but the shouting unless the US is in position to do major damage within a turn or so.
Even at the beginning of the game when Japan has to invest in TRs and an IC for China, it’s still not all that heavily in the US favor. The US is only making 22 at that point and Japan is likely making in the mid-high 30s. So Japan can put 10-15 into the ground war and still keep parity with the US (although I dont think that is her most effective play).
I think the goal of the Allies is to strain Japan’s available combat power every turn, as much as possible. It’s similar to AA50 (but harder for the Allies IMO) in that Japan can do anything, but Japan cant do everything simultaneously. Many times it will be necessary as the Allies to make spoiler attacks or moves that Japan can easily thwart, but when taken as a whole, all three Allies can make Japan spread her combat power. Unless they can do that, I think the Allies are doomed. None of them can stand up to the full weight of the Japanese attacks so all of them have to nibble around the edges and force responses. A sub here, a minor landing an island there, and show of force in another area will add up headache for Japan (I’ve been on both ends of that!).
Goals for the Allies as I see it at the moment:
China - spread out, counter-attack the weakest spot once per turn to kill off Japanese ground forces. Do NOT mass up anywhere. That is just an invitation to be slaughtered by airpower.
Britain - boots on the ground. Take as much of the DEI during peace as Japan allows and invest in troops. If Japan delays until J3 (which I think is solid), then maybe a sub or a DD, but beyond that - grunts and guns. The goal is as per China - make the Japanese spread out and bleed off ground forces. AA guns are a good investment for the UK since it makes Japan have to really worry about having her combat power diluted.
US - get into the DEI. If Japan heavily defends against that, a surprise raid into Manchuria/Korea can be very damaging. Usually that is just a threat though. I can’t imagine a competent Japanese player allowing it, but he DOES have to honor it and that draws off forces. The US should be staging out of Australia so they can reach the DEI in two moves from Pearl. Taking the Carolines is nice, but it is often a trap too. Japan can bring a LOT of firepower to Truk (which is what makes it an appealing base). Take it if it’s safe, but otherwise ignore it and focus on the Australia to DEI line.
Anzac - support the US. Build them a naval base if they want it and stage aircraft and subs in Western Australia. Always be in position to threaten the DEI as well. If Japan moves out of the area to hit the US, move in and take an island. Japan will HAVE to try and take it back and that siphons precious ground power away from the Brits. Anzac money is worth less than Brit money IMO so even an unfavorable trade is usually OK here (ie, losing the TR).
Goal as all Allied powers: Stretch Japan to the limit each turn. You would rather see Japan making more numerous low-odds attacks than getting away with being able to mass overkill in her fights. Mass overkill results in fewer Japanese casualties and the way I see to hurt Japan is to force her to constantly be losing men and guns in Asia.
